You are receiving this electronic newsletter in English. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, click here.

Happy New Year from Chigamik!

New Winter Programs at Chigamik

With the goal of meeting the health care needs of our tri-cultural community, Chigamik is pleased to offer new English, French and Cultural programs this winter - free and open to the community. Take a look at the new 2018 Winter Program Guide!

CHIGAMIK Community Health Centre offers Primary Health Care in French and is pleased to announce that Nicole Ayotte, Chigamik's Francophone nurse practitioner, will be providing primary health care services to Francophone families at the Barrie Community Health Centre starting on February 7, 2018. Additional allied health services offered in French include counselling, dietician support, physiotherapy and system navigation – linking clients to even more services and programs in French!

If you would like more information or would like to register to become a client, please contact Céleste Lalonde, French Language System Navigator at 705-527-4154 x258.

Keeping Kids Active and Eating Healthy

The Healthy Kids Community Challenge (HKCC) of North Simcoe is among 45 communities selected to take part in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. It combines a community-based approach with centralized provincial support to help communities develop and implement policies and programs that enable one common outcome - healthy children!

HKCC initiatives within the North Simcoe Indigenous communities have encouraged children and families to be more active, drink more water and include more fruits and vegetables in every meal while incorporating traditional Indigenous teachings in the program curriculum. Take a look at all the success we've had in our community!

Welcome Céline Roi to Chigamik's French Language Services Team!

Céline will be working as a Francophone Health Promoter, helping to develop, co-ordinate, implement, and evaluate health promotion programs for the Francophone community. She will also be responsible for building partnerships in the community, and consulting with other health care providers in order to promote comprehensive and continuous care in the Francophone community. Welcome Céline!

Chigamik Members Celebrate the Holidays!

On December 8, Chigamik Members came together to celebrate our first "Members Only" event - and it was a great success! We enjoyed a day of baking homemade pies, eating a delicious lunch and making holiday wreaths. Being a member of Chigamik gives residents and clients a voice and keeps them connected and informed about the latest happenings at Chigamik and in the community. It's a great opportunity for the community to come together to help Chigamik plan for future events, programs and workshops.

If you are interested in becoming a Chigamik member, please visit us online or come into the centre to fill out a membership form.

Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically occurs each fall and winter. The exposure to bright light has been found to be an effective means of treating SAD. Chigamik is now offering SAD light therapy to clients Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm. Curl up with your favourite book under one of Chigamik's "SAD Lamps." *Please call us to book an appointment.

Chigamik and Waypoint Celebrate New Health Hub

In celebration of the new Midland Health Hub, a Ground Blessing Ceremony was held on October 18 and a Sod Turning ceremony was held on October 23 at the site of the New Health Hub located at 287 Bayshore Drive in downtown Midland.

Chigamik recently partnered with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and received training to deliver a Naloxone Program at Chigamik. The program provides equitable access to life saving Naloxone Kits and education in our catchment area. Naloxone can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose. Due to an increase in opioid overdoses in our community, the kits are being distributed to clients and community members, who need them, at Chigamik and through our outreach program.

Breakfast N' Boats

A breakfast program for Christian Island youth attending high school will be starting on March 1, 2018. Every Tuesday to Thursday, participants will be provided a healthy breakfast container at no cost on the morning Ferry.

Change Day Ontario is a province-wide initiative spearheaded by Health Quality Ontario to help spread the word about the many changes – big and small – that health providers make on a daily basis to better serve the communities where they work. Read more